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How to fix thin split in timber table?

A thin split is showing in the table about 1mm up. previously a couple of years ago i had 2 splits fixed by a professional and it cost me $200. We had a ute then so easy to transport to him. We need to sell dining suite as downsizing. We are hoping to fix ourselves this time. We have clamps and have bought Gorilla glue but not sure how to apply and where to clamp.

table 3.jpeg table 1.jpg table 2.jpg

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EricL

Hello @gnicholson

Thanks for sharing your question about your timber table. Unfortunately, this is not a simple matter of putting adhesive on the surface and clamping it together. The adhesive will not dry flat and could possibly affect/damage the finish of the table.

Professional cabinet makers will have specialized tools that will allow them to put adhesive in the damaged portion of the timber. They will then fill the damage and repaint the damaged portion. A quick way to disguise the crack is by using Waxstix Walnut Timbermate Touch Up Crayon.

Gently rub the Waxstix on the damaged portion until it blends in. Use a soft cotton cloth to buff and shine the filled portion. Please not that this is a temporary repair, and the wax will need to be filled again when it starts to fade, and you can see the damage underneath.

Let me call on our experienced members @Nailbag, @TedBear and @JoeAzza for their recommendations.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

gnicholson

Thanks can I use the adhesive on the underside of the table so it doesn't show? It is slightly raised aboiut 1 or 2mm that is how you see it but no real split.

MitchellMc

The adhesive would need to be applied to the surface that is separating @gnicholson. Normally, that would involve widening the crack, inserting glue and then clamping it back together. Applying glue to the underside of the table wouldn't have enough binding strength to prevent the crack from getting worse.

Mitchell

gnicholson

Let me call on our experienced members @Nailbag, @TedBear and @JoeAzza for their recommendations.

Do we have answers from these guys yet?

MitchellMc

Hi @gnicholson,

I trust that if @Nailbag, @TedBear, and @JoeAzza have anything to add to the discussion, they'll do so. However, there are only so many ways to repair the issue with your table. A professional would typically separate the boards, clean the joints, remove old glue, and reapply new glue. They would then clamp the boards together, possibly reinforce the joints with dowels or biscuits for added strength, and finish by sanding and reapplying the original finish.

Your issue is that the splits are not large enough to apply glue within them; they really need to be widened to allow that.

Hopefully, our experienced members have alternate approaches you can employ.

Mitchell

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